Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left wrist disability. The right hip disorder issue is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims and rating determinations for further development. The Veteran is required to provide information about his treatment providers, obtain relevant VA and private records, and undergo examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bipolar disorder, a bilateral shoulder disability, a left elbow disability, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist. The decision also remanded several other issues.,Service connection was not granted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The specific issues on appeal include ratings for various service-connected disabilities and a claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right wrist tendonitis has been granted a 10% initial rating, effective prior to January 5, 2017.,Prior to April 30, 2016, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 20% initial rating. From April 30, 2016, his radiculopathy and sciatica of the left lower extremity were granted a 20% initial rating.,From April 30, 2016, the Veteran's radiculopathy and sciatica of the right lower extremity was granted a 20% initial rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, left wrist, and lumbar spine disabilities due to new evidence submitted since previous denials. However, it is not granted as these conditions are not found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left wrist, right wrist, and back disabilities due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, hernia disability, and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome due to incomplete examination reports and lack of consideration of relevant STRs.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board is remanding these issues to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations.,The Veteran's secondary service connection claim for migraines has also been remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome. The VA is instructed to obtain additional evidence, including treatment records and an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are remanded due to insufficient evidence of current disability severity, including lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his active service, but additional evidence is needed for other conditions. The Veteran will need to provide updated treatment records and undergo a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for unspecified arthritis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and tinnitus are on appeal. The Veteran was previously denied special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status. These issues will be remanded for appropriate action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 4, 2013.

The Veteran's non-VA medical care at VMC for a left wrist injury was authorized in advance, and the Board finds that it met all criteria for payment or reimbursement under 38 U.S.C. § 1725.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and requests for examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all issues.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right and left wrist disabilities, including degenerative joint disease and carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his current wrist conditions are related to in-service complaints.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA opinion and to obtain missing VA medical records, including a physician's note from a March 2010 Hand Surgery Visit.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection has been granted. The decision also includes a finding of TDIU.